Dream Wide Awake or What the Heck Is Lucid Dreaming?

April 28, 2017

Have you ever wanted to control your dreams? Or maybe feel yourself like a superman? Congratulations, both of these things are real and possible now, and it is called “lucid dreaming”. Generally, “lucid” means “clear”, but in case of dreaming, it is more often used meaning “aware, present”. In lucid dreams you can basically control the whole dream, try new experiences (some of them can be really weird), or maybe even create new universes! It all depends on your imagination and experiences. Interested to try it yourself? We’ll teach you, but let us dive into some theory first.

Basics of lucid dreaming

As we already said, lucid dreaming means being aware that you are asleep but using it for your benefit instead of waking up in terror. People understand that they are in a dream by some familiar triggers, which we will explain a little bit later. From the point you realize that you are asleep starts your most exciting journey because you can do literally whatever you want.

Advantages

Unlimited traveling. It’s a dream, you can go wherever you want and no money or visa limits will stop you. For sure, these experiences will not be entirely real, but who knows, maybe swimming in a sea that you see in your dream is even better than in the real one. Besides, you can erase all of these annoying tourists you see in reality and have the place – or maybe even the whole world – to yourself.

Become a superhero. You can create your own world in your dreams and become a real superhero there. Who wouldn’t want that?

Try something you would never try in reality. You can fly, walk on the ceiling, become invisible or even taste fire. I’m serious, Beverly D’Urso, who has been a lucid dreamer since she was 7, did it once, and said that it tasted a little salty.

Have real orgasms. Not only that you can have unlimited sex with whoever you want while you are lucid dreaming, but you can also get real orgasms.

Solve real problems while sleeping. You can easily overcome some of the issues you have in reality, while lucid dreaming, for instance, blocks for doing or not doing something. The thing is, lucid dreams are the shortcuts from consciousness to unconsciousness, and our unconscious fears usually become the obstacles for achieving the real life goals.

Learn paying more attention to the details. One of the essential ability for lucid dreaming is noticing the differences in the environment, and this talent can actually be really helpful in real life.

Disadvantages

None, really. People tend to think that lucid dreamers can confuse reality with the dream, but it’s actually almost impossible for an experienced lucid dreamer.

How to lucid dream

Sooo, we finally got to the sweet part, and you are probably super excited to read the actual guide. We won’t hold you any longer.

Keep a dream journal. Most people claim that they do not have any dreams, which is not true because they simply don’t remember them. Understanding your dreams and your dream environment is a key for lucid dreaming, so it is great to write down your dreams at first because it will help you remember them better.

Think about lucid dreaming and make your mind accept this idea. It may sound crazy but actually the more you think about getting ready for lucid dreaming, the more you actually prepare yourself for it. Your mind becomes nearly programmed for trying it the following night, which makes it more prepared.

Practice reality checks. This is the most important part or preparation, which will is necessary for you to truly realize it when you will be lucid dreaming. There are many ways for reality checks, so choose the one that fits the best for you.

Try to read something. In reality you can do it easily, but in a dream the words will be blurry.

Check the time. Look at the clock and remember the time. Take a look away and then check the time again. In reality the difference will be insignificant, while in a dream the time will always be different.

Look closely at your hands. In reality you can see them in details, but while dreaming, it will be difficult to do.

Press your index finger to the palm of your opposite arm. In reality you can feel that your finger cannot go through your hand, but you will be able to press it right through when dreaming.

Rub your hands against each other. In reality you will feel how they touch each other, but in your dream you will feel nothing.

Performing reality checks is important because they allow your mind to create a direct connection between your action and realizing whether you are awake or asleep. Reality checks are the thing that will help you realize that you are lucid dreaming and start literally living your dream. There are two important things to remember when doing reality checks: you have to do at least 20 of them if you want to get some result and you have to repeat “I am awake” after each successful realization of reality.

Put your gadgets away at least 1 hour before bedtime. The blue light that is radiated by the screens of your devices suppresses the producing of melatonin, the hormone that helps you sleep. In order to lucid dream, you need to have decent amounts of this hormone in your body before your bedtime.

Meditation can help your brain stay focused and relaxed at the same time, which is just the perfect condition for lucid dreaming. There are even special ways of meditation designed for helping you to lucid dream, and you can find a more detailed guide to them here.

Set your alarm to 4.5, 6 or 7 hours after you fall asleep. While we sleep, the brain goes through 5 phases of sleep, one of which is called REM (Rapid Eye Movement), and it is exactly where you are most likely to lucid dream. Now, there are several tactics that people use for starting to lucid dream.

Wake up for 30-60 minutes and do something not very energetic. You can read a book, listen to some light music or eat a snack. The point is to wake up your mind, while your whole body is still sleeping.

Wake up for 15 minutes. The main goal is the same, but the time of being awake is shorter.

Wake up only to turn off your alarm, but try not to open your eyes. This is called WBTB – wake back to bed – technique because you don’t actually wake up. Your aim here is to keep your body as motionless as possible, while your mind should be awake.

No matter which tactic you choose for yourself, remember that your main goal should be to wake up your mind, while your body stays asleep. It will help you quickly dive in to your sleep, but you will be lucid dreaming this time.

However, experienced lucid dreamers don’t even need this step because they can simply realize that they are dreaming while being in that dream by noticing some details which do not seem real or simply don’t fit in.

Make a reality check. When you think that you are dreaming, try one of the methods we described above. When you realize that you can’t read a text or can’t examine your own hands, congrats, you are lucid dreaming.

Don’t get too excited. When you know that you are in a lucid dream, try not to get too excited because it will eventually wake you up and cancel all your previous attempts.

Use your imagination and get the most of your lucid dream.

Conclusion

Lucid dreaming is an amazing opportunity to explore yourself and develop some new skills, so don’t be afraid to try it yourself.